Aggressive Bicycle Riding After Radical Prostatectomy

8 weeks is a good benchmark. I got a nose-less seat for mine and it allowed me to get in the saddle much quicker than I otherwise could have, but it takes a while for your perineum to be able to take the abuse without being painful.

This has been recommended by people that are bike riders

Bicycle seat that works well with AUS and prostate cancer patients
https://www.hugeoaks.com/products/hugeoaks-width-continuously-adjustable-bike-seat-comfortable-prostate-friendly-bicycle-saddle-for-mountain-bikes-road-bikes-city-bikes-exercise-bikes

I was 70 when I had nerve sparing RARP in 2024. I'm not a medical professional, so take my comments with a grain of salt. I don't remember exactly, but I think my care team told me I couldn't lift more than 10 lbs for 6 weeks and specifically that I couldn't ride a bicycle for 3 months. I don't ride, but I do use the gym and I couldn't comfortably sit on a small seat on gym equipment for much longer (like maybe 8 months). I'd have a sharp pain in my perineum if I sat down too quickly on any small seat found on gym equipment. It gradually went away, but it took a while. Bottom line, I'd suggest talking to your doctor and getting his opinion on how soon you'll be able to resume serious off-road bike riding. I don't know but suspect you endure more extreme shocks from the seat as compared to a road cyclist. Better safe than sorry. Best wishes.

@retireditguy This is what I feared. If it's only pain, and not causing damage or hindering healing, I 'may' be able to endure it. But, in reality, I may be out of competitive racing for a year or so.

I can tell you that while it may not cause damage it is very painful at first. I went with a different seat than Jeff recommended, it's a nice seat with outstanding reviews and I like that it's domestically made: https://thevseat.com

I did an early ride with my normal seat and it was highly uncomfortable after about 4-6 weeks, I went with this one and it takes getting used to but it's also nice because even before the RARP that nose could cause discomfort for me - and my wife mentioned it frequently as well, so we both got the V-Seats and then also got the V-Seat pad for it too because sit bone pain sucks.

@cxracer -- Well, you might be out that long. But also remember you're 20 years younger than I was at surgery. Also, @jeffmarc mentioned a special seat which I suspect would help a lot. Finally, your surgeon is the best person to advise when you can resume competitive racing since he'll know exactly what he did in there. I suspect he'll let you go back to racing well before a year. BTW, at 15 months I was fully recovered, including sexual capability. Just this morning my wife commented to me that she thinks our sex is (maybe) better than before. I don't know about that, but I suspect (after a long slow recovery) we just appreciate it more. I suspect once you are able to resume racing you'll appreciate it more than ever. Best wishes.

@retireditguy I've got a bunch of different bikes and saddles. I'll see if I can assemble a working combination from what I already have before buying on of these.

You regained full function?! YES!!! Music to my ears!!! ED is at the top of my list of anxieties. Raising kids for the past 20 years, my wife and I are finally starting to enjoy each other again, and I am NOT ready to give that up!

Try a recumbent bicycle. They are comfortable, with a real seat & back rest. Not only don't they create any pressure on your crotch, they are a lot easier on your wrists and neck. Your posture is normal. The baggage compartment is streamlined & attached to the bike, not your back. Plus, they are faster (& banned for racing). At age 63, I did the Seattle-to-Portland ride on one:

@readandlearn Cool! I've had under seat steering recumbent bikes and a trike in the past, but have fallen in love with racing, so this isn't where my heart is, but would consider going this route if I need to.

@readandlearn How did you attach pictures by the way? I'm not seeing any options that allow me to post pics.